Bowden to Sign Contract with Clemson

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Clemson fans may soon be able to put to rest fears of
Tommy Bowden's rumored departure to Alabama.

Bowden will sign a new contract this week which could pay him up to $1.5
million a year for as many as eight years, according to sources close to the
situation. Bowden's current contract pays him in excess of $800,000, counting
bonuses and radio/TV money.

Negotiations between Bowden and Clemson officials have been ongoing in recent
weeks, the sources say, and may have intensified this past Wednesday when it
was announced that Alabama coach Mike DuBose would not return to the Crimson
Tide for the 2001 season.

The announcement is expected sometime in the next few days, which would end
speculation that Bowden has an interest in the Alabama position in time for
the team to focus itself on the Nov. 18 home game with South Carolina, the
sources said.

Bowden's name has been prominently mentioned for the Alabama coaching job, alo
ng with those of Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and Miami's Butch Davis, for
much of the last two months. Bowden was born in Birmingham and has twice
coached in the state as an assistant, at both Auburn and Alabama.

DuBose's job had been in jeopardy after the Crimson Tide got off to a slow
start for the second consecutive season. The announcement that he would not
return for 2001 was made on Wednesday, days after Alabama was humiliated by a
40-38 loss to Central Florida. The announcement said DuBose had agreed to
resign.

However in an interview with CBS television which aired on Saturday, DuBose
disputed that report and said he had been fired.

Bowden is in his second season as Clemson's head coach. He guided the Tigers
to a 6-6 record and a Peach Bowl appearance in 1999, one year after Clemson
finished 3-8 in Tommy West's final season.